country mile: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘country mile’ mean?
The idiom "country mile" means a very long distance or a significant difference. It originated from the idea that country areas are vast and distances are greater compared to urban areas.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "run a mile" means to quickly and eagerly avoid or distance oneself from a situation or person, often due to fear, discomfort, or a desire to avoid trouble or confrontation.
The idiom "every inch" means completely or in every possible way. It emphasizes the thoroughness or completeness of a person or thing.
The idiom "edge of the world" refers to a metaphorical location beyond which everything is unknown or uncharted. It signifies the limit or boundary of one's knowledge or experience.
The idiom "edge of the earth" is used to describe a feeling of being in a remote, isolated, or faraway place, as if one is at the very limit or furthest point of existence or civilization.
The idiom "edge of the earth" embodies the idea of reaching the farthest point or boundary of existence. It is used metaphorically to describe a sense of adventure or exploration, pushing the limits of what we know.
The idiom "down the road" means in the future or at a later time.
The idiom "donkey's years" means a very long time. It is often used to indicate a period of time that feels like it has been going on for a significant and extended duration.
The term "donkey's years" is primarily used in British English and is less common in American English. It is believed to have originated in the early 20th century and there are a few theories about its exact origin.
An idiom that means two things or people are extremely dissimilar or opposite in nature.
Throughout the vast expanse of information available on the internet, several undeniable facts emerge about the idiom "couldn't be more different." This idiom, commonly used in everyday conversations, holds a distinct position in the lexicon of idiomatic expressions.
The idiom "come a long way" means to have made significant progress or improvement, often referring to personal growth or development over time.
The idiom "by a long way" means to win or be better than all others by a large margin or distance.
Elusive Distance
The idiom "run a mile" is closely related to "country mile." While "country mile" refers to a long distance, "run a mile" is used to describe someone's desire to distance themselves from a situation or person as quickly as possible. Although the two phrases have different meanings, they both convey the idea of an extensive amount of distance or separation.
"by a long way" is another idiom that shares similarities with "country mile." Like "country mile," it signifies a substantial difference or margin. However, "by a long way" focuses more on the extent of superiority or advantage. It implies that a person or thing is significantly better or ahead of others in a particular aspect, surpassing expectations by a considerable degree.
Lastly, we have the idiom "come a long way," which emphasizes progress or improvement. While "country mile" relates to physical distance, "come a long way" speaks to personal or collective development. It indicates that someone or something has made significant strides in their journey, surpassing obstacles or limitations to reach a much-improved state.
"country mile" is an idiom that signifies a considerable distance or difference. It can be related to other idioms such as "run a mile," "by a long way," and "come a long way," as they all involve the notion of extensive measure, separation, or progress.
Example usage
Here are three examples of how the idiom country mile can be used in a sentence:
- She won the race by a country mile.
- The new restaurant is the best in town by a country mile.
- He outperformed his colleagues by a country mile.
The phrase country mile is often used to emphasize a significant distance or difference. It is typically used to describe a situation where one person or thing surpasses others by a large margin or extent. In the examples provided, the idiom is used in a literal sense to convey a clear and noticeable difference in the race, the quality of the restaurant, and the performance of an individual compared to others.
More "Distance" idioms
